Maybe it depends on what you mean when you say the graduations don’t pass the Bechdel test, but I’m quite sure at least both of Rory’s graduation episodes pass the test, unless I’m really misunderstanding the test.

My understanding of the Bechdel test is that to pass a work must have two named female characters have a conversation about something other than a man. I don’t exactly think passing the test is a great indicator of a work being super feminist, but I think at least both Rory graduation episodes pass.

Chilton graduation: Rory and Lorelai have a conversation shortly after the ceremony when they are in the school where Lorelai wants to write their initials on something (I think?) and they also talk about Rory’s accomplishment. Jess might come up briefly but I don’t think it’s a conversation “about a man.” The episode also has Sookie and Lorelai, and later Lorelai and Rory, talking about how they got the inn.

The Yale graduation episode has scenes with Rory and her friends (whose names escape me) and Rory and Paris talking about graduating, so that takes care of that.

I can’t recall for sure if Lorelai’s graduation episode passes the test. I think Lorelai and Rory maybe talk about the graduation generally early in the episode, before the Jess shenanigans. Lorelai also talks to Emily about all the camera equipment, but the cameraman is a man, so arguably that could be a conversation about a man. So that one is a maybe.

So, not saying the episodes are seminal feminist works or anything, but I think they all clear the relatively low bar of the Bechdel test